cheek
either side of the face below the eye and above the jaw.
the side wall of the mouth between the upper and lower jaws.
something resembling the side of the human face in form or position, as either of two parts forming corresponding sides of various objects: the cheeks of a vise.
impudence or effrontery: He's got a lot of cheek to say that to me!
Slang. either of the buttocks.
Architecture.
one side of an opening, as a reveal.
either of two similar faces of a projection, as a buttress or dormer.
Carpentry.
a piece of wood removed from the end of a timber in making a tenon.
a piece of wood on either side of a mortise.
one side of a hammer head.
Horology. one of two pieces placed on both sides of the suspension spring of a pendulum to control the amplitude of oscillation or to give the arc of the pendulum a cycloidal form.
one of the two main vertical supports forming the frame of a hand printing press.
Machinery. either of the sides of a pulley or block.
Nautical. either of a pair of fore-and-aft members at the lower end of the head of a lower mast, used to support trestletrees which in turn support a top and often the heel of a topmast; one of the hounds of a lower mast.: Compare hound2 (def. 1).
Metallurgy. any part of a flask between the cope and the drag.
Idioms about cheek
cheek by jowl, in close intimacy; side by side: a row of houses cheek by jowl.
(with) tongue in cheek. tongue (def. 37).
Origin of cheek
1Other words for cheek
Other words from cheek
- cheekless, adjective
Words Nearby cheek
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use cheek in a sentence
Every time your significant other puts on this face balm, it will be like you’re delivering them a little kiss on the cheek.
Outdoorsy Gear Guy–Approved Valentine's Day Gifts | Joe Jackson | February 10, 2021 | Outside OnlineHe made what he called a “tongue-in-cheek” run for president in 1984 as a Republican, then trumpeted himself as a Democrat 14 years later in support of President Bill Clinton during his sex-tinged impeachment proceedings in Congress.
Larry Flynt, pornographer and self-styled First Amendment champion, dies at 78 | Paul W. Valentine | February 10, 2021 | Washington PostNever wrap him in her arms, lay her cheek against his head, whisper that she was there, that everything would be okay.
For a mother forced to give up her child, decades of grief, shame and secrets | Ellen McCarthy | February 5, 2021 | Washington PostNext, check if the sides of the mask are bulging out from your cheeks.
Dragging the color across the lid can lead to a lot of fallout onto the cheeks, which is difficult to clean up.
Hints From Heloise: An easy way to check return on investment | Heloise Heloise | February 2, 2021 | Washington Post
“The lies of the government shocked us,” says Fatima, as the tears flow slowly from her eyes and down her cheek.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda | Ruth Michaelson | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTScrutinizing the lines on your face, she strokes your cheek and asks if your boss is working you too hard.
Bakari reaches out, strokes Bundy's cheek and stares into his eyes longingly.
However, I spent enough time with him and other players to witness moments, comments and actions that were not so tongue-in-cheek.
But Tony Bennett will get a free pass on his latest release, cheek to cheek.
Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousHe has told me that their society produced on him the effect of the cool hands of saints against his cheek.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeA lurid spot on each cheek showed burning red through the bronze of his skin.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonA burning crimson flushed over the cheek of Wharton, as Louis uttered this ardent appeal to friendship and to Heaven.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterAs he stepped forward to salute her, she presented her cheek to him, and suddenly stabbed him dead at her feet.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills
British Dictionary definitions for cheek
/ (tʃiːk) /
either side of the face, esp that part below the eye
either side of the oral cavity; side of the mouth: Related adjectives: buccal, genal, malar
informal impudence; effrontery
(often plural) informal either side of the buttocks
(often plural) a side of a door jamb
nautical one of the two fore-and-aft supports for the trestletrees on a mast of a sailing vessel, forming part of the hounds
one of the jaws of a vice
cheek by jowl close together; intimately linked
turn the other cheek to be submissive and refuse to retaliate even when provoked or treated badly
with one's tongue in one's cheek See tongue (def. 19)
(tr) informal to speak or behave disrespectfully to; act impudently towards
Origin of cheek
1Derived forms of cheek
- cheekless, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with cheek
In addition to the idiom beginning with cheek
- cheek by jowl
also see:
- tongue in cheek
- turn the other cheek
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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